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Airgun law · World

Are Airguns Legal in Bolivia?

Yes, with conditions.

Generally legal, but with real rules to follow, usually age verification and, in some places, a low-power threshold.

Tier 3: Moderate

Threshold-based licensing: a permit-free band for low-power airguns, with a licence required above it.

BO

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive Bolivia is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationUnclear
Age rule18+
PossessionVariable
Transfer / saleVariable
TransportVariable
AuthorityNational statute
Before you buy or sell
  • Air/gas projectile weapons are expressly defined as 'Otras Armas.'
  • Implementing regulation matters.
  • Visitor import should be pre-cleared.

The rules in detail

Classification
Unclear
Law No. 400, Ley de Control de Armas de Fuego, Municiones, Explosivos y Otros Materiales Relacionados, defines 'Otras Armas' as non-firearms that function by air or compressed gas using darts or projectiles, with further treatment by regulation.
Age rule
18+
18+ practical minimum placeholder; firearm/weapon authorization details should be confirmed under current regulation.
Possession
Variable
Air/gas weapons are not firearms under the statutory definition, but they are expressly captured as 'Otras Armas' and subject to regulation. Treat as controlled rather than free.
Transfer / sale
Variable
The implementing regulation (DS 2175 of 2014, Art. 4) lists 'armas neumáticas' of every kind as 'Otras Armas' that may only be acquired and used for self-defence, sport, hunting, collection or exhibition, and police may seize them if used otherwise. Import, export and transit of 'otras armas' need Ministry of Defence authorization (Art. 19).
Transport
Variable
Transport should be cased, unloaded, and documented. Postal transport of firearms, ammunition, explosives, classified raw materials, fireworks, and related materials is prohibited; do not mail airguns without local legal clearance.
Authority
National statute
National law administered by Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Government, and Bolivian Police structures depending on category/activity.

Hunting with an airgun

Unresolved.

Deer
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Turkey
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Small game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Predators
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed

Import & travel

Energy threshold
No joule threshold found; air/gas weapons are defined by propulsion type rather than energy.
Caliber rule
No specific airgun caliber rule found.
Travel note
Airguns are explicitly named in law, so treat Bolivia as regulated even where the exact procedure is fuzzy.

Local & import notes

Visitor procedure
Do not import a PCP or other airgun without written customs/police/Ministry guidance. Temporary import rules are clear for firearms in official/diplomatic/sporting contexts, but airgun visitor import was not cleanly surfaced.

Keep exploring

Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.→Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.→Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.→

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.